Hypoprepia miniata
Encyclopedia
The Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth or Scarlet Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia miniata) is a species of moth
of the Arctiidae
family. It is found from British Columbia
south through the western side of the Rocky Mountains
to Arizona
and Texas
. It is also found throughout eastern North America
.
The length of the forewings is 14-17 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is red with two broad dark grey stripes and another shorter stripe between them at the outer margin. The hindwings are red, usually with a broad dark terminal band. Adults are on wing from July to August in the west and from April to September in the east.
The larvae feed on lichen growing on trees, preferably pines. The species overwinters in the larval stage.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Arctiidae
Arctiidae
Arctiidae is a large and diverse family of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world, including 6,000 neotropical species. This family includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths , which usually have bright colours, footmen , lichen moths and wasp moths...
family. It is found from British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
south through the western side of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
to Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It is also found throughout eastern North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
The length of the forewings is 14-17 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is red with two broad dark grey stripes and another shorter stripe between them at the outer margin. The hindwings are red, usually with a broad dark terminal band. Adults are on wing from July to August in the west and from April to September in the east.
The larvae feed on lichen growing on trees, preferably pines. The species overwinters in the larval stage.
Subspecies
- Hypoprepia miniata miniata
- Hypoprepia miniata mississippiensis Barnes & Benjamin, 1926